house bill 1

To the sounds of thunderous applause, Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 1 into law Thursday, a proposal to legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts.

“For the families enduring separation and patients suffering pain, the wait is finally over,” said Governor Deal. “Now, Georgia children and their families may return home, while continuing to receive much-needed care. Patients such as Haleigh Cox, for whom this bill is named, and others suffering from debilitating conditions can now receive the treatment they need, in the place where they belong — Georgia.”

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal confirmed Thursday morning that he will soon sign into law legislation to legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts, which was recently approved overwhelmingly by the state’s Legislature.

House Bill 1, which was approved by the House of Representatives with an 160 to 1 vote, and by the Senate with a 48 to 6 vote, will legalize the possession and use of up to 20 ounces of low-THC (5% or less) cannabis extracts for those who receive a recommendation from a physician. Qualifying medical conditions will include cancer, Crohn’s disease, seizure disorders, Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

Georgia’s House of Representatives voted 160 to 1 Wednesday to give final approval to House Bill 1, a proposal to legalize medical cannabis extracts that has already passed the full Senate. It now heads to Governor Nathan Deal for consideration, who is expected to sign the proposal as soon as Friday.

If signed into law by Governor Deal, or allowed to become law without his signature, House Bill 1 would allow those with cancer, Crohn’s disease, seizure disorders, Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and sickle cell disease to possess and use up to 20 ounces of cannabis extracts. The extracts, which can include tinctures, oils, lotions and pills, would be required to have 5% THC or less, and patients must receive a recommendation from a physician.

A proposal to legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts such as tinctures and oils has been approved by Georgia’s full Senate, sending it to the state’s House which has already approved a slightly different version of the bill.

If approved into law, House Bill 1 would allow those with cancer, Crohn’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), mitochondrial disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, seizure disorders and sickle cell disease to possess and use medical cannabis if they receive a recommendation from a physician. Patients would be allowed to possess up to 20 ounces of extracts, and the THC percentage of the medicine must not surpass 5%.

Legislation to allow those with a variety of medical conditions to possess and use cannabis extracts to treat their ailment has been approved by Georgia’s Senate Health and Human Services Committee. The measure has already been approved by the full House of Representatives, and a more restrictive bill passed the Senate with a 54 to 1 vote earlier this month.

House Bill 1, titled the Haleigh’s Hope Act, would legalize the possession and use of up to 20 ounces of cannabis extracts (such as tinctures and oils) for those with certain medical conditions – such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and epilepsy – who receive a recommendation from a physician, and subsequently register with the Department of Public Health. The cannabis extracts must contain no more than 5% THC.

Georgia’sHouse Judiciary Non-Civil Committee has unanimously passed House Bill 1, the Haleigh’s Hope Act, which would legalize the medical use of cannabis extracts.

Under the proposed law – sponsored by Representative Allen Peake, a Republican from Macon – the possession and use up to 20 ounces of low-THC (no more than 5%) cannabis extracts would be legalized for those with certain medical conditions who receive a recommendation from a physician. Qualifying conditions would include seizure disorders, Lou Gehrig’s disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, fibromyalgia, mitochondrial disease and Crohn’s Disease.